Comments on: Why Should I Raise My Children Bilingual?

By: Roxana S.

Roxana S. — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:27:34 +0000

Wow! That’s awesome Kathy! Your son is a lucky to have parents like you!

Although not easy at all, it’s definitely doable. We’ve actually written some about this topic. I suggest you start here: http://www.spanglishbaby.com/2009/03/spanish-not-your-native-language-you-can-still-raise-bilingual-kids/

You can also check the related posts at the bottom of that post!

Good luck and please feel free to ask for help. That’s what we’re here for

By: Roxana S.

Roxana S. — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:23:41 +0000

It sure is hard, Alishia. There’s no denying that!

I congratulate you on your efforts. Keep at it. It will all be worth it in the end

By: Roxana S.

Roxana S. — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:22:33 +0000

Many people felt the exact same way your parents and grandparents did, Kelly. Especially in the part of the country where I know live. In fact, in Colorado it really wasn’t about getting mocked, it was more about getting spanked and discriminated against!

Luckily, things have changed and so now we’re seeing a generation of monolinguals who are making every attempt possible to raise bilingual children.

By: Roxana S.

Roxana S. — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:20:09 +0000

I totally get what you’re saying. I’ve met a few people who could’ve easily given this gift to their children and decided otherwise. In fact, I knew somebody who was born and mostly raised in a Latin American country and only moved here to go to college. However, when she had a child, she decided to only speak English to her because it was easiest. Therefore, the kid couldn’t communicate with her grandmother! Very sad… but who am I to judge, right?

By: Kathy Sykes

Kathy Sykes — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:27:20 +0000

I am not bilingual and neither is my husband but I want my son to learn Spanish fluently if possible. Right now, he takes Spanish in preschool but I am thinking of hiring someone once a week to speak strictly Spanish to him in hopes of him learning.

Do you have any other suggestions of how to get started when neither parent is bilingual?

By: Alishia

Alishia — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:15:56 +0000

I have a 19 month old and he is *crossing our fingers* going to be bilingual. His father is from Mexico and I the U.S. although my spanish isn’t perfect, I started attending spanish classes at my college so that my son can grow up knowing both English and Spanish. Sometimes it is hard because I don’t want to teach him wrong. I have a book in Spanish and English that we read at night time and I try to only get him toys that have an English and Spanish setting. I think it is important for him to understand both languages so when he is speaking to his father’s side of the family he will feel comfortable. It sure is hard.

By: Kelly Tirman

Kelly Tirman — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:11:46 +0000

I wasn’t raised bilingual. My parents and grandparents did this out of love. They didn’t want me to be mocked the way they were. For example, my grandpa was always very sensitive about his ability to speak English because he was teased as a child.

Times are different.

I am raising my daughters to be multilingual out of love. Language is the gateway to cross-cultural understanding, compassion, and curiosity. These are tools they will need to understand others as well as themselves.

By: CancunCanuck

CancunCanuck — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:13:08 +0000

It never even crossed my mind to raise my son monolingually, for many reasons. I’m Canadian living in Mexico, he was born here and has never left. I am bilingual, but the idea of not speaking English to my son seemed absurd really. I know some Anglo parents here for whatever reason only speak Spanish to their kids and I believe they are stealing from them (strong words, but it’s my opinion). Bilingualism is a RIGHT for a kid with parents who have multiple languages. Grandparents come to visit from England/Canada/USA and can’t communicate with their own family! (Sorry, I digress…..)

Raising a bilingual son gives him advantages besides being able to talk to both sides of his family. Better opportunities all around, in jobs, travel, relationships, plus bilingual kids are known to be more adept in maths and sciences and it has been shown that bilingualism can lower the chances of Alzheimers. The list goes on and on.

I guess what it comes down to is he is half Mexican and half Canadian, darn tooting he’s going to be bilingual, I wouldn’t have it any other way!